Terminal Expansion Project
WHY IS THE PROJECT NEEDED: Phase 1 of a multi-year terminal expansion project has begun. In the last 6 years passenger traffic has increased 23% at the Helena Airport. The airline industry is also experiencing a fleet conversion at small airports across the country as smaller 50 seat aircraft are being replaced with 76 seat and larger aircraft. The larger aircraft size requires additional ramp space and, as airlines move away from ground-boarded propeller aircraft, all airlines currently flying into the Helena Airport will require jet bridge boarding.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT: 20,000 square feet of new space will be added inside of the secured area past the TSA checkpoint. This space will provide additional seating for up to 500 passengers, along with the ability to serve 6 aircraft simultaneously through new jet bridges. Other improvements include additional restrooms, as well as family restrooms, the new Smokejumper Landing, which will be expanded and provide much needed restaurant seating, two new elevators to assist passengers, upgraded IT features, and soft seating areas among other amenities. The TSA screening checkpoint will also be relocated out of the lobby and into the level 1 expansion. This relocation will provide space for 2 screening lanes with options for a 3rd lane as passenger numbers grow.
WHEN WILL IT BE COMPLETED: The project is being completed in 3 phases over a period of 2 years to allow for continued operations during construction. The project began in July of 2018 and is expected to be completed by the fall of 2020.
PROJECT COST AND FUNDING SOURCE: The terminal expansion project is being funded by a combination of airport revenues and funds from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement (AIP) and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Programs. There are NO LOCAL TAXES OR MIL LEVIES used to fund any Airport project. The AIP Funds are derived from fees collected from airline ticket sales, aviation fuel sales, and air cargo waybills and must be used on approved infrastructure project such as our current terminal expansion. In addition, a $4.50 per passenger PFC, another FAA approved program, also provides funds for infrastructure improvements.
PROJECT TEAM:
Owner: Helena Regional Airport Authority
Architects: CWG Architects of Helena, Price, Simpson & Harvey Architects
Engineering/Project Management: Morrison Maierle Engineers of Helena
General Contractor: Dick Anderson Construction of Helena
Sub-Contractors:
ANDERSON STEEL SUPPLY INC
ARCO BUILDERS, INC
ATS FACILITY SYSTEMS
BARGREEN-ELLINGSON, INC
CONTRACT DESIGN ASSOCIATES
CRAFTMASTER CABINETS, INC.
FINISHING TOUCH CLEANING LLC
FRONTLINE GLASS INC
GALLATIN VALLEY ELEVATOR, LLC
GRUBER MASONRY INC.
G & S MECHANICAL USA, INC
HARRINGTONS FLOOR COVERING INC
HELENA INSULATION INC
HELENA SAND & GRAVEL
IT&M DIVISION INC
JOHN BEAN TECHNOLOGIES CORP
JUST RITE ACOUSTICS, INC
K2 SECURITY SOLUTIONS GROUP
MERIT MECHANICAL SERVICES INC
RDJ BROTHERS, INC
MOCKEL PRECAST
SMITTY’S FIREPLACE SHOP, INC.
SPARROW ENTERPRISES
SUMMIT ROOFING INC
T & L PAINTING INC
TRI-COUNTY MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL
LANTEK, INC
